Framing & Displaying Fine Art

Fine Art not only stimulates the eye but the mind as well. It needs to be observed, analyzed, discussed, reflected upon and, of course, preserved. We want your Fine Art prints to last and to bring years of enjoyment.

At Capital Art, we offer two framing options: standard and conservation framing.

Our standard framing option features a high-quality black wood frame with precision-cut conservation matting. It is finished with clear acrylic plexiglass to ensure the protection of the Fine Art print.

This is the ideal framing format for Fine Art photography. Our conservation frames are made of specially milled premium hardwoods. They are hand finished with natural dye, ink, and wax, and produced with acid-free white matting and backing. They feature museum-grade UV plexiglass to ensure harmful light has a minimal effect on the artwork and prolong the life of the archival photography. Their clean, black look adds character to the finished product while not drawing attention away from the image.

When framing, there is always the choice of what glass to use. The most common is clear acrylic or glass. However, neither of these possesses archival qualities. As a standard, we use UV Conservation Acrylic in all our frames. This UV-filtering, museum-grade plexiglass ensures harmful light has a minimal effect on the artwork. Choosing plexiglass over glass is beneficial in that it is both lighter and safer. Heavy glass can crack and break, and pose danger as a result. It is important to note that, for caring and cleaning, do not use glass cleaning sprays or dry cloths as they will damage and scratch the surface of the acrylic.

Harmful light has a minimal effect on the artwork. Choosing plexiglass over glass is beneficial because it is both lighter and safer. Heavy glass can crack and break, and pose danger as a result. It is important to note that, for caring and cleaning, do not use glass cleaning sprays or dry cloths as they will damage and scratch the surface of the acrylic.

All matting and backings are 100% acid free, fully archival conservation materials. There are less expensive, non-conservation options available that provide a similar look but do not guarantee the print will remain unharmed or meet archival standards. We take pride in offering conservation materials. Our matting is white and specially chosen to work within the tonal family of the paper being used for the print.

Authentication takes several forms: hand-signed by the photographer, estate-stamped or embossed with an official seal.

Each print we sell has been authenticated by the copyright holder – in most cases, directly by the individual photographer who captured the image. The copyright holder can also be a legal representative of the photographer, such as his or her or estate, a music label or a photo agency. Each print we sell is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity

Guarantee of Authenticity

Each Capital Art Fine Art Print has affixed to the reverse, or verso, a sequentially numbered tamper-proof Holographic Seal

Each Capital Art Certificate of Authenticity bears the corresponding Holographic Seal and Edition number to that of each Fine Art Print.

Each Capital Art Fine Art Print is also stamped with the company’s official embossed corporate seal, for yet another layer of verifiable Authenticity.

Caring for fine art prints

When you order an unframed Fine Art print from Capital Art, we want you to enjoy it in sound conditions for many years to come. Once it leaves our hands and enters yours, there are some important points to keep in mind when handling, framing or archiving your fine art print.

Your Limited Edition print is fine artwork. It should be handled gently and as little as possible. When doing so, be sure that your hands are freshly washed to minimize the transfer of oils from your skin. To help assure proper handling, Capital Art provides clean white cotton gloves with each order to lessen the possibility of leaving fingerprints and soiling the printed material. When picking up your print, always use both hands and make sure the back of the print is supported so it does not bend. Never touch the surface of the image with your fingers. If you are trying to blow something off the surface, make sure you do not accidentally transfer any saliva to the print as this could damage it. Compressed air is a safer alternative to remove dust or other particles. The surface of a Fine Art print can be damaged easily by placing objects on top of it. This type of damage is very difficult, if not impossible, to repair. In general, we advise that you handle your print as little as possible before having it framed or putting it into storage.

If you need to clean your Fine Art print, please follow these tips:

Using compressed air, spray lightly over the face of the print. Be sure to secure the print when doing this so it does not kink or blow away.

You can also dust off your print with a non-fluffy, soft, dry towel. An anti-static microfiber rag is ideal.

Never use cleaning products and avoid putting pressure on the surface when wiping.

When framing your Fine Art print, to achieve maximum archival longevity, be sure to use the same material guidelines we follow at Capital Art. Use only UV filtering glass or plexiglass. Use only acid-free museum board for matting and backing. Make sure the frame you choose is sturdy, and, if it is made of wood, be sure it does not contain stains or dyes that may emit harmful chemicals that will damage your print. Avoid mounting your print with adhesive to any substrate. Adhesives and other mounting materials can be harmful to the life of the print.

Photographic materials benefit from a cool, dry, ventilated storage environment. The optimal storage conditions for most photographs are a temperature of 68°F and relative humidity in the range of 30 to 40 percent. Avoid storing your Fine Art print in your attic or basement. Keep all photographic materials in enclosures that protect them from dust and light and provide physical support during use. Chemically stable, acid-free plastic or paper enclosures are recommended. Your print should be kept away from any harmful light source by storing it in an acid-free, durable, photo-safe box.